Headphones measuring heart-rate

• US 10,034,613 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2016
• Issued: 07/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lindman, Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): MALAMUD, DEBORAH LESLIE
• Application Number:
  US15/092,673
• Publication Number:
  US 20160220132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02433 for infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/0421 Controlled or regulated
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083

Abstract

The invention relates to headphones and a method for listening to music or some other audio signal, which headphones comprise at least one sound source such as a an earphone to be placed in the vicinity of the ear, for producing sound, and a galvanic conductor for feeding an electrical signal from a signal source, such as a music player or similar, to the sound source. In accordance with the invention at least one sound source is equipped with means for measuring heart rate, as well as means for forwarding heart-rate information wirelessly.

Claims

1. Headphones for listening to music or some other audio signal, which comprise

at least one sound source configured to be placed in the vicinity of the ear, for producing sound, and

a galvanic conductor for feeding an electrical signal from a signal source to the sound source,

wherein

at least one sound source is equipped with means for measuring heart-rate, as well as means for forwarding heart-rate information wirelessly, and

power supply to the means for measuring heart-rate and means for forwarding heart-rate information wirelessly is received from the audio signal.

2. Headphones according to claim 1, wherein the heart-rate measurement is implemented using infrared technology.

3. Headphones according to claim 1, wherein the heart-rate measurement is implemented from the outer auditory canal using infrared technology.

4. Headphones according to claim 1, wherein the headphones comprise means for starting heart-rate measurement once an audio signal fed to the earphones is detected.

5. Headphones according to claim 1, wherein power supply to the measurement and transmission means is implemented using a dry-cell battery or rechargeable battery.

6. Method in headphones, comprising the steps of:

feeding a signal from a signal source to a sound source, with the aid of galvanic conductors,

equipping the sound source with means for measuring heart-rate, as well as means for forwarding heart-rate information wirelessly, and

supplying power to the means for measuring heart-rate and means for forwarding heart-rate information wirelessly from the audio signal.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the heart-rate measurement is implemented using infrared technology.

8. Method according to claim 6, wherein the heart-rate measurement is implemented from the outer auditory canal using infrared technology.

9. Method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of starting heart-rate measurement once an audio signal fed to the headphones is detected.

10. Method according to claim 6, wherein power supply to the measurement and transmission means is implemented using a dry-cell battery or rechargeable battery.